Vehicle seat with multi-axis energy attenuation

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for an energy attenuating seat assembly with multi-axis energy attenuation. In one embodiment the seat assembly comprises a seat with a back, a first energy attenuating support comprising a first seat guide, and a first energy attenuating link, the first energy attenuating support operatively disposed in a first direction with respect to the seat. The exemplary seat assembly further comprises a second energy attenuating support comprising a second seat guide, and a second energy attenuating link, the second energy attenuating support operatively disposed in a second direction with respect to the seat.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An energy attenuating seat assembly for use in a vehicle, comprising:
 a first seat guide substantially vertically oriented and adapted for attachment to a structural portion of the vehicle; 
 a second seat guide substantially horizontally oriented and adapted for attachment to a structural portion of the vehicle, 
 a seat mounted for both guided vertical sliding movement along the first seat guide, and guided longitudinal sliding movement along the second seat guide; 
 a first energy attenuating member configured to prevent relative vertical movement between the seat and the first seat guide under normal seat loading conditions, and to allow the seat to stroke along the first seat guide by permanently deforming when vertical seat loading exceeds a first threshold value; and 
 a second energy attenuating member configured to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the seat and the second seat guide under normal seat loading conditions, and to allow the seat to stroke along the second seat guide by permanently deforming when longitudinal seat loading exceeds a second threshold value. 
 
     
     
       2. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an upper end of the first seat guide and an aft end of the second seat guide are configured for attachment to the vehicle structure. 
     
     
       3. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second seat guides are further configured for pivotal attachment to the vehicle structure. 
     
     
       4. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second energy attenuating members comprise crushable metal bars. 
     
     
       5. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first seat guide comprises a fixed portion adapted for attachment to the vehicle structure, and a sliding portion attached to the seat. 
     
     
       6. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the second seat guide comprises a fixed portion adapted for attachment to the vehicle structure, and a sliding portion attached to the fixed portion of the first seat guide. 
     
     
       7. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 6 , wherein an upper end of the fixed portion of the first seat guide is adapted for hinged attachment to the vehicle structure, and an aft end of the fixed portion of the second seat guide is adapted for hinged attachment to the vehicle structure, the hinged attachments pivotal about a substantially lateral axis. 
     
     
       8. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first energy attenuating member is connected at one end to the fixed portion of the first seat guide, and at the other end to the sliding portion of the first seat guide. 
     
     
       9. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the second energy attenuating member is connected at one end to the fixed portion of the second seat guide, and at the other end to the sliding portion of the second seat guide. 
     
     
       10. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third seat guide oriented substantially horizontally and orthogonal to the second seat guide, and adapted for attachment to a structural portion of the vehicle, wherein the seat is mounted for guided lateral sliding movement along the third seat guide; and 
 a third energy attenuating member configured to prevent relative lateral movement between the seat and the third seat guide under normal seat loading conditions, and to allow the seat to stroke along the third seat guide by permanently deforming when lateral seat loading exceeds a third threshold value. 
 
     
     
       11. An energy attenuating seat assembly for use in a vehicle, comprising:
 a first seat guide oriented in a first direction and adapted for attachment to a structural portion of the vehicle; 
 a second seat guide oriented in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and adapted for attachment to a structural portion of the vehicle; 
 a seat mounted for both guided sliding movement in the first direction along the first seat guide, and guided sliding movement in the second direction along the second seat guide; 
 a first energy attenuating member configured to prevent relative sliding movement between the seat and the first seat guide under normal seat loading conditions in the first direction, and to allow the seat to stroke along the first seat guide by permanently deforming when seat loading in the first direction exceeds a first threshold value; and 
 a second energy attenuating member configured to prevent relative sliding movement between the seat and the second seat guide under normal seat loading in the second direction, and to allow the seat to stroke along the second seat guide by permanently deforming when seat loading in the second direction exceeds a second threshold value. 
 
     
     
       12. The energy attenuating seating system of  claim 11 , wherein the first direction is substantially vertical, and the second direction is substantially longitudinal. 
     
     
       13. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 12 , wherein an upper end of the first seat guide and an aft end of the second seat guide are configured for attachment to the vehicle structure. 
     
     
       14. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second seat guides are further configured for hinged attachment to the vehicle structure, and pivot-able about a substantially lateral axis. 
     
     
       15. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second energy attenuating members comprise crushable metal bars. 
     
     
       16. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the first seat guide comprises a fixed portion adapted for attachment to the vehicle structure, and a sliding portion attached to the seat. 
     
     
       17. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the second seat guide comprises a fixed portion adapted for attachment to the vehicle structure, and a sliding portion attached to the fixed portion of the first seat guide. 
     
     
       18. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first energy attenuating member is connected at one end to the fixed portion of the first seat guide, and at the other end to the sliding portion of the first seat guide. 
     
     
       19. The energy attenuating seat assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second energy attenuating member is connected at one end to the fixed portion of the second seat guide, and at the other end to the sliding portion of the second seat guide.